CTA is excited to welcome Emerson Johnston to our team as our new Cyber Threat Report Analyst leading our analytic reports program. Here we introduce Emerson in her own words.
Can you give us a briefing history of your studies and career so far?
I’m currently completing my MA in International Cyber Policy and Security at Stanford University, where I’m honored to be both a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and a National Security Innovation Scholar. Before attending Stanford, I graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University in 2023 with dual bachelor’s degrees in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, History, Culture, and Law, where I was a Department of Defence VICEROY DECREE[1] Scholar. My career has bridged academic research and public service, including roles at the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative and as a McDonald Graduate Student Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution’s Technology, Economics, & Governance Working Group. Before coming to CTA, I served as a Civil Affairs Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2020 to 2025, and worked for three years as the Global Cyber Partnerships Manager at HUMAN Security, a bot-mitigation-focused cybersecurity firm. Throughout my career, I hope to advance cybersecurity through collaborative approaches that bridge policy, technology, and international relations, helping organizations and governments develop resilient defenses against emerging threats while promoting responsible norms in cyberspace.
Can you tell us a bit about your role and what you’ll be working on?
As the Joint Action Report Cyber Threat Analyst at the Cyber Threat Alliance, I’ll be analyzing and synthesizing threat intelligence from our member and partner organizations to produce comprehensive reports on significant cybersecurity concerns. My role involves identifying patterns across different data sources, contextualizing technical findings within broader geopolitical trends, and crafting actionable intelligence that helps our members and the wider cybersecurity community respond effectively to emerging matters. I’ll be working closely with both our member and partner organizations and internal teams to ensure our joint action reports provide timely, relevant, and high-quality intelligence that strengthens our collective defense capabilities.
What attracted you to CTA and this position?
As I was looking for what I would do after graduation, I was especially drawn to CTA’s focus on translating intelligence into action and its commitment to raising the level of cybersecurity across the digital ecosystem. CTA’s collaborative model of threat intelligence sharing represents exactly what I believe is necessary to address today’s complex cyber threats. No single organization can see the entire threat landscape, but by bringing together insights from across the cybersecurity industry, we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of adversary tactics and techniques. Furthermore, the Joint Action Report Analyst position allows me to leverage my background in both technical analysis and policy communication, bridging the gap between technical findings and strategic implications in a way that creates real-world impact.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love reading and am always trying to pick up new books with friends. I’m particularly drawn to Neal Stephenson’s work and was fortunate to hear him speak to our Knight-Hennessy community about ‘Snow Crash’ and his early predictions of virtual worlds. Outside of reading, I split my free time between bouldering at a local gym in San Jose and playing music—I’ve played guitar since childhood and recently picked up piano, which has become a fun way to unwind with friends on weekends.
What’s a fun fact about you that few people know?
A fun fact about me is that I was a competitive figure skater growing up. I competed in both women’s singles and doubles with my twin brother.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I’d love to visit Tokyo. It perfectly balances my interests in cutting-edge technology and rich historical traditions. I’m particularly interested in seeing how they’ve integrated advanced cybersecurity measures into their infrastructure while maintaining their cultural heritage. I’m very jealous because my aforementioned twin brother got to go last year.
[1] Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ (VICEROY) Department of Defense Electromagnetic and Cyber Research and Experiential Education (DECREE)